Mirage And Meridian Now Offered With Commemorative
Packages
New Piper Aircraft has
introduced special 20th anniversary models of the company's
flagship aircraft, the Malibu Mirage and the Malibu Meridian, to
celebrate the significant innovations these models have brought to
New Piper as well as the general aviation industry as a
whole.
"These models continue unchallenged in their niche," said New Piper
President and CEO Chuck Suma. "The Malibu was Piper's first
pressurized, cabin-class, single-engine aircraft, and the Mirage
and the Meridian are proud inheritors of that legacy."
When the Malibu was first designed, it was not intended to be an
enhanced version of an existing model, but rather a totally new
airplane. The primary goals were passenger comfort and supreme
performance. It was also the first Piper model to be made with
flush riveting and metal bonding to provide a sleek, smooth
exterior body.
The Malibu was the first pressurized, single-engine, six-place
aircraft to provide volume production of a clamshell entrance in
the rear for passengers and seating equal in size and comfort to
the cockpit - qualities previously found only in private jets. The
aircraft was also known for its unique package of features, in that
it cruised at 200 kts, climbed to 25,000 feet, maintained a range
of 1,000 nm and was certified for Flight Into Known Icing.
"The Piper Malibu was a revolutionary, clean-sheet
design with a long, thin wing, giving a high cruising speed and
great fuel efficiency," said Roger W. Peperell, internationally
renowned Piper Aircraft historian and author of the book Piper
Aircraft: The Development and History of Piper Designs. "For the
first time, pilot and passengers experienced luxury and space in a
pressurized, single-engine airplane. This was the beginning of a
whole new family of sleek airplanes for Piper."
He also explained that "it took three years of study and
dedication to get the first Malibu into the air, but this
pressurized, six-place, single-engine aircraft provides the
creature comforts and amenities of many small business jets, but
for a fraction of the price and operating cost."
Four years later, the Malibu Mirage was released, sporting an
improved 350 HP engine. It still boasted a "cabin-class" design and
a price tag that made it the affordable alternative to private jets
- a tradition that continues with the current model.
In 2000, the FAA
certified the Malibu Meridian, New Piper's first single-engine
turboprop, with a 500 SHP engine and all-glass cockpit. This model
revolutionized general aviation by opening the door for
single-engine aircraft to use Air Data and Attitude Heading
Reference System (ADAHARS) in place of gyros.
In keeping with the Malibu tradition, the Meridian also
introduced state-of-the-art features that to this day give pilots
advanced capabilities while remaining user-friendly. These features
include single-lever control that optimizes aircraft performance by
automatically adjusting throttle and prop action to meet pilots'
requirements and enhanced performance at new higher altitudes -
i.e., 260 kts at 30,000 feet.
These new Malibu Mirage and Malibu Meridian 20th anniversary
editions will feature commemorative paint schemes inside and out.
In the interiors of each model, the newly designed, commemorative
20th anniversary logo will be featured on each of the leather
seats. On the exterior, the logo will be placed beside the last
window. In addition, each aircraft will feature a threshold plate
that also sports the commemorative logo. Moreover, significant
discounts are being offered on special anniversary option packages.
New Piper is also giving new owners of these models a special
package of customer accessories and gifts.
"We looked back at the most-ordered options for these models and
bundled them," said Molly Martin Pearce, Director of Sales and
Marketing. "The option packages represent the most-desired avionics
suites for both the U.S. and international markets. For the U.S.
market, an optional package for a Mirage will feature the Meggitt
Magic Single Side EFIS System, the Honeywell Integrated Hazard
Avoidance System (IHAS 8000), Flight Information System (FIS
weather data link) and a second GTX 330 Transponder, all at a
substantial savings."
Malibu Meridian and international customers also receive savings
on similar packages designed to meet their market niche. For
example, the ADF and DME navigational units are more suitable for
international buyers, whereas Meridian buyers currently receive the
Meggitt Magic EFIS system as standard. Piper will offer an optional
20th anniversary special edition avionics package that will best
suit a Meridian or international buyer.
"Quality, safety and performance have long been the hallmarks of
the PA46 family of aircraft," said Suma. "In 1984, they were the
best value for the dollar, and that tradition continues with the
20th anniversary editions of the Malibu Mirage and the Malibu
Meridian."